This week, Jess and Scott discuss the reasons to always prioritize a budget for dog training. While many aspects of the world and the economy seem overwhelming at best these days, dog training is an important expense when it comes to your mental health, the wellness of your dog, and the impact you and your dog have on society. How much should you expect to spend on dog training? What if insurance doesn’t cover your dog training costs? Why is training more valuable the first year you get a rescue...
Nov 22, 2023•27 min•Ep. 213
This week, Jess and Scott welcome Dimitra Kofitsas from Rye, NH to discuss canine physical therapy. Dimitra has owned Tails of Rye for almost 20 years and discusses the ins and outs of the rehabilitation industry in dogs. How does a facility like Tails of Rye help senior dogs? Why is it important to schedule PT appointments as soon as possible? What does Dimitra love most about her job? For this week’s Holiday Discount Quirky Tip, visit: https://www.thequirkydog.com/Podcast/entry/portrait-coutur...
Nov 15, 2023•29 min•Ep. 212
This week, Jess and Scott discuss the reality that some dogs are not a good fit for our modern world. Whether this is based in genetics, early life experiences, traumatic events, or a combination of reasons, often dogs are a bad fit for a household and sometimes a poor fit for society. What were the details of Scott’s recent bite? If I think I own a “bad dog” then what do I do next? Why are some dogs bad while others are simply misunderstood? For this week’s Holiday Discount Quirky Tip, email th...
Nov 08, 2023•28 min•Ep. 211
This week, Jess and Scott welcome photographer Ron Schmidt who is accompanied by his lovely wife Amy. We discuss what the commercial end of dog photography looks like in present day as well as how Ron and Amy are continuing to give back through their work. What is their favorite part of their job? Where does Ron find his inspiration for new pieces after 20 years in the business? How can listeners and viewers find Ron’s work (greeting cards, gallery pieces, books, etc.)? For this week’s Holiday D...
Nov 01, 2023•26 min•Ep. 210
This week, Jess and Scott discuss their experience this past weekend teaching a seminar for 50+ people and over a dozen dogs in upstate New York. And most importantly, they provide some easy tips and tricks to yes indeed calm your canine! Why is a crate such a fundamental component of targeting anxiety? What does anxiety look like in dogs? How do I help my dog through his or her anxiety if I also experience anxiety? For more information on our How To Calm Your Canine online course, use the follo...
Oct 25, 2023•31 min•Ep. 209
This week, Jess and Scott are joined by one of their dear clients Emily Ostrow. Emily comes on to discuss her journey with her adorable but challenging rescue, Sandy. How did pharmaceuticals play a role in Sandy’s story? Why did Emily and her husband feel the need to explore additional resources in relation to veterinary care and training early on? What has been the single best way to help Sandy with her anxiety? To check out Emily’s teen mental health podcast, “Not Now Maybe Later” on Spotify (...
Oct 18, 2023•27 min•Ep. 208
This week, Jess and Scott discuss how motivation factors into your dog training journey. Many companion dog owners appear to be motivated to train because of pain; whereas, many sport dog trainers are motivated to train because of passion. Why could changing your motivation for why you train potentially change your entire life?How does your motivation for why you train directly affect your dog? Who is a constant source of motivation in your life? For more information about Scott and Jess and the...
Oct 11, 2023•27 min•Ep. 207
This week, Jess and Scott discuss what they consider some very important life skills as it relates to handling and medical care. This episode is packed with training suggestions to help you when trying to evaluate and possibly diagnose an issue with your dog. What is the value of a muzzle for a dog who isn’t aggressive? How can I teach my dog to get his or her temperature taken calmly? Where do I start if my dog has a difficult time with the majority of suggestions mentioned in this episode? For...
Oct 04, 2023•33 min•Ep. 206
This week, Jess and Scott discuss triggers. This is somewhat of a buzz phrase in the dog industry, and this episode gives you a bunch of simple and helpful tips to help you address your dog’s triggers. What is a trigger? Why is it important to monitor a trigger as it expands? How can I best help my dog deal with his or her triggers? ONLY 4 DAYS LEFT TO ORDER APPAREL FOR THE QUIRKY DOG! CLICK HERE: https://www.caninehealing.bullshirt.com For more information about Scott and Jess and their strateg...
Sep 27, 2023•32 min•Ep. 205
This week, Jess and Scott are joined by Barb Buchmayer who is the trailblazer of positive herding. Barbara has authored a number of books, coaches students virtually worldwide, and presents in-person seminars throughout the US. How does teaching herding with positive reinforcement differ from how traditional herding is taught? Why is it so important, especially with high drive breeds, to focus on self control in foundation work? What type of dog owner team can benefit most from Barb’s newest boo...
Sep 20, 2023•31 min•Ep. 202
This week, Jess and Scott discuss the importance of situational awareness, especially when it involves our dogs. It is your job as a dog owner to do your absolute best to be in tune with the environment and energy surrounding you and your dog at all times. Why is situational awareness absolutely paramount when hiking off leash? If one need to improve his or her situational awareness, where should that person begin? How aware are you of how a certain situation made you and/or your dog feel before...
Sep 13, 2023•33 min•Ep. 204
This week, Jess and Scott are celebrating their 200th episode! What a truly incredible journey it’s been. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for all of your support over the years. We are beyond grateful and promise to only get quirkier over time! What has been most challenging throughout the past 4 years of podcasting? Who is Chrissy and why is she on the podcast? Where is The Quirky Dog’s future headed? To order apparel for The Quirky Dog throughout the month of September, click: https://...
Sep 06, 2023•39 min•Ep. 203
This week, Jess and Scott discuss aggression cases and how they prepare. Many industry professionals run into aggressive dogs throughout their careers, but some aren’t equipped to handle them. This episode provides tons of tips to keep everybody safe. Where does equipment beyond a muzzle come into play? Why is it so important to exhibit strict protocols near a dog’s crate? How can a dog with true human aggression be safely handled? For more information about Scott and Jess and their strategies, ...
Aug 30, 2023•34 min•Ep. 201
This week, Jess and Scott discuss the hustle bustle of back to school and what impacts this season of life may have on the dog. Kids have been and continue to be heading back to school all throughout our nation, and this episode focuses on facilitating a smooth transition for the dog as well. How can you prep your dog if you have a kid leaving for his or her first semester of college this year? Why is it important to adjust to the nuances of a new school year without the dog at first? What can h...
Aug 23, 2023•24 min•Ep. 200
This week, Jess and Scott discuss the process of raising littermates. Many owners do not understand what a process this can be, so this episode is dedicated to breaking down the idea of raising two beings who have been bonded since the womb. Why would raising littermates be any different than raising two puppies a similar age? Who should have the final say if a family should raise littermates or not? How can you set the pups up for success if you happen to own two young littermates right now? Fo...
Aug 16, 2023•24 min•Ep. 199
This week, Jess and Scott are joined by one of their own clients Magaly Sandoval. Magaly and her rambunctious Finnish Lapphund named Maki began working with Scott and Jess summer of 2022, and in this episode, she unpacks Maki’s last year. What was Magaly’s journey like after she chose to get her very first dog from a herding breeder? How did the influence of others affect how Magaly approached dog training? Where did Magaly struggle most with Maki’s behavior even after seeking out prior professi...
Aug 09, 2023•34 min•Ep. 197
This week, Jess and Scott discuss the down command. A down stay for a dog isn’t as commonplace as it once was, and this week Scott and Jess discuss all the benefits of a reliable down and how they use one practically with their own dogs. Why is it nice to have two separate commands for down? When is a down stay more appropriate than a sit stay? How can you build a reliable down stay with your own dog? For more information about Scott and Jess and their strategies, please check out: https://canin...
Aug 02, 2023•29 min•Ep. 198
This week, Jess and Scott welcome the legendary Alex Stein. Alex and Ashley are responsible for putting canine frisbee on the map on August 5th, 1974. If not for Alex’s extraordinary courage and Ashley’s unmatched athleticism, this beloved sport may not have flourished as much as it did in the late 1900s. Where did Ashley truly launch his career? What is Alex’s favorite thing about the sport of canine disc in present day? How would Alex like the 50th anniversary of his Dodger Stadium debut to be...
Jul 26, 2023•45 min•Ep. 196
This week, Jess and Scott discuss the topic of fetching. Fetch has been a buzz topic in the dog world as of late, so in this week’s episode, they both try to equally cover the good, the bad, and the ugly. Why should I be mindful when playing a simple game of fetch with my dog? How can switching from a ball to a disc make the game more safe? What could my dog do for exercise in replacement of fetch? For a detailed video on how to dislodge a ball from your dog’s throat, click: https://www.youtube....
Jul 19, 2023•30 min•Ep. 195
This week, Jess and Scott are joined by their friends from New York. Ben and Janelle Allanson have over a decade of history in the sport of French Ring, and much like Scott and Jess, they have experienced the highs and lows of dog training together as a romantic couple! What is the most challenging part of training with a partner? How does training with someone who also lives with your dogs make certain aspects of your training sessions easier? Why is it so important to schedule quality time out...
Jul 12, 2023•42 min•Ep. 194
This week, Jess and Scott discuss burnout. This is a common issue in our industry, and in today’s episode Scott and Jess share their top strategies to prevent burnout and promote wellness. What does burnout look like? Where can you look for support if you’re experiencing burnout? Why is burnout so prevalent in dog trainers? For more information about Scott and Jess and their strategies, please check out: https://caninehealing.com To view The Quirky Dog’s website and a full catalog of episodes, v...
Jul 05, 2023•29 min•Ep. 193
This week, Jess and Scott are joined by the one and only Master of Hounds, Francis Metcalf. Francis is an incredible dog trainer who most enjoys assisting in rehabilitating behavioral cases, trick training, and protection sports. Where did Francis first come up with the idea of Canine Circus School? Why has canine circus school been a great fit for dogs of all temperaments? How has Francis reacted to the potential San Francisco E-collar ban? To see Francis and his Canine Circus School in action,...
Jun 28, 2023•30 min•Ep. 192
This week, Jess and Scott discuss the topic of whining. Many dog owners have an issue with whining throughout various contexts of their relationship with their dog, so during this episode, they provide numerous ways to address whining. Why does whining that wins turn into a problem? How much does it matter why the dog is whining? What is the easiest way to combat whining? To take advantage of the Pride Special for How To Calm Your Canine through June 30th, 2023, click: http://www.k9healing.com/p...
Jun 21, 2023•30 min•Ep. 191
This week, Jess and Scott are joined by Michael D’Abruzzo from K9-1. Michael is a teacher of animal sciences and has more than two decades of extensive hands on experience in the field of dog training. Michael’s dedication to the preservation of science within the industry as well as the ethical instruction for up and coming dog trainers is truly unmatched. What prompted Michael to speak out about a recent webinar given by a high profile veterinary behaviorist? Why has the integrity of true scie...
Jun 14, 2023•45 min•Ep. 190
This week, Jess and Scott are joined by Joyce and John Belcher of Sustenance Herbs. Being in business for over 15 years, they are proud to create some of the finest herbs and supplements for dogs, cats and horses on the market and offer shipping within the US and Canada. How can customers help their dogs, cats, and horses not only survive but thrive through tick season? Why is sourcing so important when it comes to animal products? Where can vets learn more about distributing Sustenance Herbs pr...
Jun 07, 2023•37 min•Ep. 189
This week, Jess and Scott discuss what to expect when camping with your canine. With Memorial Day weekend behind us, camping season is in full swing in New England, and this episode is jam-packed with tips to make camping a great experience for everyone. Why should you consider bringing a First Aid kit along for not only yourselves but also your dog? How does camping with a dog look different for those owners who have never tried it before? When should you consider leaving your dog at home with ...
May 31, 2023•24 min•Ep. 188
This week, Jess and Scott discuss what to do if and when your dog bites a human. There are many factors to consider in this situation, but taking some sort of action is always advisable. This episode guides dog owners on how to form that solid plan of action. Why do some owners wait until their dog has bitten multiple times to reach out for help? Who do you turn to first when your dog has bitten someone? If my dog bites someone, do I have to put him or her down? To view our 100th episode that re...
May 24, 2023•32 min•Ep. 187
This week, Jess and Scott discuss the concept of a dog’s backstory. Sometimes very traumatic known events happen to our dogs and other times, we fill in the blanks. Regardless of what your dog’s backstory may be, this episode explains why it is important to look beyond your dog’s backstory and always focus on the present. Why is it important that owners don’t cling onto their dog’s backstory? Where do backstories come from? How do we truly know a rescue’s backstory? For more information about Sc...
May 17, 2023•25 min•Ep. 186
This week, Jess and Scott discuss behavioral pottying. This is an issue that many clients have faced over the years, and while it can be an extremely aggravating problem, it can frequently be resolved with a few simple tweaks. What is behavioral pottying? How can one determine if potty accidents are medical or behavioral? Why is it important to intervene with any and all behavioral pottying? To view our prior episode on cloning, click: https://www.thequirkydog.com/podcast/2021/7/28/want-to-clone...
May 10, 2023•26 min•Ep. 185
This week, Jess and Scott are joined by Alexandra Butler from Enigma Canine in England. Alex’s main focuses in dog training have previously been on trick training and scent detection; however, as of recently, her platforms have exploded with interest in her latest training endeavor called “The Copy Method.” How does The Copy Method differ from other forms of training like luring or shaping? Why is the dog training world so fascinated with The Copy Method? Where can I follow along with how to int...
May 03, 2023•27 min•Ep. 183
